Nelson, Harris Combine for Two-Hitter in 3-1 Win
August 19, 2018 - Florida State League (FSL1)
Tampa Tarpons News Release
Tampa Tarpons pitcher Nick Nelson
(Tampa Tarpons, Credit: Mark LoMoglio)
TAMPA, Fla. - Nick Nelson and Hobie Harris combined for a two-hitter as the Tampa Tarpons defeated the Daytona Tortugas, 3-1, in the rubber game to win the series on Sunday afternoon at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
After yielding a leadoff single by Randy Ventura to begin the game, Nelson got a strikeout and a double play groundout to end the inning. The right-hander retired 12 of the next 13 batters he faced while tallying four more strikeouts through the fifth.
Estevan Florial lined a one-out single off LHP Wennington Romero in the third and scored when Diego Castillo blasted a two-run homer just over the wall in left-center. It was Castillo's second home run and first since June 3rd.
Romero (L, 8-9) allowed two earned runs on six hits in four innings for Daytona (25-31, 62-60), walking one while striking out one on 80 pitches (55 strikes).
Michael Beltre worked a leadoff walk in the sixth and advanced to second on a wild pitch before moving to third on a broken-bat, infield single by Morgan Lofstrom. Beltre then scored as Ventura reached on a fielder's choice, cutting the lead to 2-1.
Tampa (26-30, 61-65) promptly got the run back when Isiah Gilliam smashed a leadoff triple to the centerfield wall and later scored on a wild pitch by LHP Kevin Canelon.
A leadoff walk by Courtney Hawkins brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh. Hawkins stole second before Nelson got a fly out by Taylor Trammell.
Harris entered in relief and Brantley Bell reached on an error by Castillo at shortstop. After a fly out by Stuart Fairchild, Hawkins and Bell both moved into scoring position on a double steal, but Harris struck out Beltre to end the inning.
Nelson (W, 7-5) allowed one earned run on two hits in six and a third innings, walking three while striking out seven on 100 pitches (60 strikes). It was the 22-year-old's longest outing since completing seven innings vs. St. Lucie in a win on June 6th.
Harris (SV, 2) stranded a two-out walk in the eighth before throwing a perfect ninth to pick up his second save in as many outings.
LHP Carlos Diaz and RHP Joel Kuhnel each struck out a pair while combining to hold the Tarpons to one hit in the seventh and eighth.
Florial (2-for-4, R, CS) logged his third-straight multi-hit game and his batting .382 (13-for-34) over his last eight games. Gilliam (2-for-4, 3B, R) tallied his second triple. Hoy Jun Park (2-for-3) is batting .357 (10-for-28) over his last seven games.
Following a league-wide off day on Monday, the Tarpons begin a six-game road trip with a three-game series in St. Lucie at First Data Field. RHP Deivi Garcia (0-0, 1.62) will start the opener on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Live play-by-play audio will be available on the St. Lucie Mets Radio Network.
The Tarpons will then play three games in Daytona before returning home to open a four-game series against the Florida Fire Frogs on Monday, August 27th at 6:30 p.m. On "Dollar Dog Night," bring your dog to the game with the purchase of a $1 Dog Ticket. Fans can also enjoy $1 hot dogs all night long.
Images from this story
 Tampa Tarpons mascot Blue and pitcher Hobie Harris (Mark LoMoglio) |
 Tampa Tarpons pitcher Nick Nelson (Mark LoMoglio) |
Florida State League Stories from August 19, 2018
- Bradenton Sweeps Jupiter in Extra Innings - Bradenton Marauders
- Tortugas Held to Just 2 Hits in 3-1 Loss - Daytona Tortugas
- Miracle Shut Out Again, Drop Rubber Game, 2-0 - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
- Threshers Shut Down Miracle Again, Extend Division Lead - Clearwater Threshers
- Jays Fall in Series Finale 5-3 to Mets - Dunedin Blue Jays
- Nelson, Harris Combine for Two-Hitter in 3-1 Win - Tampa Tarpons
- Davidson Dazzles as Fire Frogs Blank Flying Tigers - Florida Fire Frogs
- Mets Win Series Finale over Blue Jays, 5-3 - St. Lucie Mets
- Tampa Tarpons Game Notes: at Daytona - Tampa Tarpons
- Florida Fire Frogs Game Notes: August 19, 2018 - Florida Fire Frogs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
